Finding The Best Alaskan Resort For Aurora Chasers

Fairbanks is one of the most popular destinations for those traveling to Alaska to see the Northern Lights! The city is the gateway to Alaska’s Interior and Arctic regions and is a great jumping-off point for Northern Lights adventures in the region. Alaska’s second-largest city is easily accessible from the lower 48 and offers a variety of unique accommodations for those chasing the Aurora Borealis in the nighttime sky.

What makes Fairbanks such a special location for Northern Lights viewing? It sits under the Aurora Oval, meaning that a spectacular night show is almost guaranteed if conditions are right.  As long as the sky is clear and dark, the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four nights out of five. With odds like that, Fairbanks is a perfect place to begin your Aurora adventure in Alaska.

When Can I See The Aurora In Alaska?

In Alaska, Aurora Season runs from August 21 to April 21, with activity being especially strong around the fall and spring equinoxes. The same is true in Fairbanks – fall, winter, and spring are the best seasons for Aurora viewing. It is true that the aurora is dancing in the sky year-round, but you can only see it during the months when the skies are dark and the midnight sun has vanished!

The Best Place In Alaska To See The Northern Lights

Alaska has a variety of Northern Lights tours for visitors who want to experience the Aurora as part of a guided experience. But it also offers those who want to seek out the Northern Lights at their own pace many unique opportunities to do just that. Visitors can reserve an Alaskan cabin for Northern Lights viewing or book a spot at an Alaskan Northern Lights resort. Listed below are the top five resorts near Fairbanks to get your trip planning started!

Northern Lights Resort #1: Borealis Basecamp

Located just 25 miles from Fairbanks, this unique venue offers visitors an experience unlike any other! The camp is set in the middle of 100 acres of pristine boreal forest and lodging includes modern geodesic domes. Visitors can watch for the Northern Lights from these domes during the dark hours, and explore the camp's rugged landscape by day. Hiking, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor activities are very popular at this remote outpost that offers visitors a truly unique taste of the Alaskan wilderness.

Just 25 miles from the city of Fairbanks, Alaska, Borealis Basecamp offers an experience unlike any other. Here on 100 acres of pristine boreal forest, we're immersed in the Alaskan wilderness. At night, the outside and inside blend together in transparent swirls of light and dark. View the dancing lights of the aurora borealis from a modern geodesic igloo, explore the rugged landscape, and understand the allure of the far north.

Northern Lights Resort #2: Alaska Grizzly Lodge

This rustic lodge is located just 10 miles from downtown Fairbanks but offers visitors a wilderness experience with all the comforts and amenities of a modern hotel. Each room has a private terrace for visitors who want to watch the Northern Lights from the comfort of their room. The lodge even offers guests an aurora wake-up service, so that you don’t have to worry about missing an Aurora sighting while you are sleeping. If you want the feel of an Alaska cabin for Northern Lights viewing without hiking into the wilderness, Alaska Grizzly Lodge is the place for you!

Northern Lights Resort #3: Pike’s Waterfront Lodge

If you’re more interested in an Alaska Northern Lights resort vs. a cabin, Pike’s Waterfront Lodge offers a cozy and luxurious indoor Aurora Viewing experience. The hotel features a heated Aurora Conservatory with panoramic views of the sky and the Chena River through three glass walls. Located just three miles from Downtown Fairbanks, you’ll be able to enjoy Northern Lights viewing as well as the ambiance of the city during your stay.

Northern Lights Resort #4: Wildmoon Home

If you’ve always dreamed of renting an Alaskan cabin to see the Northern Lights, Wildmoon Home is the perfect place for you! This private, one-bedroom house is located in a secluded spot just 35 minutes away from downtown Fairbanks. The cozy cabin has a balcony with mountain views that make for phenomenal Aurora viewing, as well as a terrace, patio, pool, and other amenities. Enjoy a hike in the woods during your stay, or simply admire the amazing natural landscape from the comfort of this amazing vacation home.

Northern Lights Resort #5: Chena Hot Springs and Resort

This Alaska Northern Lights resort may be an hour away from Fairbanks, but it is well worth the trip! Chena Resort is centered around a 40-square-mile geothermal spring that is famous for its curative powers! The facility offers guests a spa-like experience within its walls, as well as opportunities to enjoy activities such as hiking and cross-country skiing in the surrounding recreation area. But by far one of the most incredible features of this facility is the outdoor Rock Lake – a boulder-ringed artificial lake that provides a relaxing vantage point for guests to soak and watch for the Northern Lights, even during the cold winter months! The resort also offers guests the opportunity to take a ride in the Aurora Snow Coach to the top of Charlie Dome Mountain, for an Aurora-viewing experience. Keep warm in a Mongolian-style yurt and enjoy hot beverages and snacks while you wait for the lights to appear.

Five Fun Things To Do And See In Fairbanks

You may have planned your trip in Alaska to see the Northern Lights, but if you are in Fairbanks make sure you take advantage of the many other fun things to see and do! Fairbanks is a good base camp for adventures in the Far North, including flightseeing tours or more extended trips with an expert guide. But you can also:

• Visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North
• Take a walk through Pioneer Park
• Visit the Fairbanks Antique Auto Museum
• Take a trip through Santa Claus’ House
• Relax along the banks of the Chena River – or rent a kayak and explore the city by water!

While Fairbanks is one of the best places in Alaska to see the Northern Lights, it also has so much more to offer visitors! From Alaska Northern Lights resort to remote cabins that combine Aurora Viewing with outdoor adventure, there’s something for everyone in Fairbanks. Enjoy!